First Look: 2017 Mazda CX-5

A mini CX-9, minus the turbocharger, but plus a diesel engine

For the 2017 model year, Mazda returned its popular CX-5 crossover to the drafting board. Alongside the pretty “Kodo” design, the new CX-5 is Mazda’s first SUV to make use of the new G-Vectoring Control active torque control system that made its debut on the Mazda6 earlier this year. And perhaps the most interesting news is that the CX-5 will be available with a diesel engine in 2017.

Details on the CX-5’s new threads are scant, but as far as we can tell, the changes bring the CX-5 closer to the new CX-9 than the older CX-5. Visually, the exterior is nip/tucked for a sharper appearance, especially around the redesigned front fascia. Unsurprisingly, it borrows heavily from the CX-9, particularly in the lower front bumper. Around back, the rear hatch appears leaner than the outgoing model, borrowing heavily from the Mazda3 hatch and even taking cues from the rear-end design of the Miata.

Inside, the aging CX-5 gets a needed shot in the arm. Along with a new dash design and a fresh gauge cluster, the infotainment screen pops up to a top-mounted position on the dash, moving away from the embedded screen from the past generation. Changes extend through the entire cabin, most notably in the cleaner vent design on the center dash and the slimmer armrests on the door panels.

Powertrains are likely to remain the same. According to Mazda, all three engines carry over, including the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engines. But the biggest news on the motivation front is that Mazda’s 2.2-liter four cylinder Skyactiv diesel engine will become available for the CX-5 later next year. Power details weren’t made available yet, but engine is rated at 173 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque in its present application fitted to Mazda vehicles outside of the U.S.

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